Building a supply chain for rare earth elements

Catalyst with Shayle Kann

Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential ingredients in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and many electronics. As with most critical minerals, China controls the vast majority of the REE supply chain. And so when it banned the export of REE processing technology last December, it raised concerns about supply.

So what will it take to secure the supply of REEs?

In this episode, Shayle talks to Ahmad Ghahreman, CEO and cofounder of Cyclic Materials, a rare earth elements recycling company. (Energy Impact Partners, where Shayle is a partner, invests in Cyclic.) They cover topics like:

• The five high-value REEs used in the permanent magnets inside EVs, wind turbines, and other electronics
• The many steps in the supply chain, from extraction to end-of-life
• Building magnets without REEs
• Increasing production outside of China
• The role of recycling
• Why Ahmad is optimistic about developing a supply chain in North America

Recommended Resources:

MIT Technology Review: The race to produce rare earth elements

IEEE Spectrum: Who Will Free EV Motors from the Rare Earth Monopoly?

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